Apple Podcasts are slow or failing to load after iOS 17.4.1 update

I am simultaneously very relieved and further annoyed to discover I am not alone here. I have been checking for software updates incessantly since this started happening, and I am increasingly giving up and switching to a different podcast app. I was afraid my phone was going downhill fast, even though nothing else has this problem and I have a ton of free space. The problem doesn’t just happen for me when loading the app but also often when switching between pages or clicking on anything really. And the quick pause/play button button on the drop-down and Lock Screen disappears way more often, so I HAVE to try to pull up the app again to unpause what I’m playing.

Rebooting doesn't work for me. I've tried everything but deleting and reinstalling the app. I'm about to go to another app, but going to hate having to add all my podcasts again and figure out where I left off on a bunch of them.

Unless you have a particular reason for needing Apple's Podcast app, I'd suggest you try one of the much better third-party apps available in the App Store. I really like Pocket Casts. I've been using it for years and have never had an issue with it. There are other well-reviewed ones if that doesn't meet your needs.

I’m unable to delete podcasts from queue iPhone 13 after system update to 17.4.1

This happened to me a couple of updates ago. Since then I haven’t experienced the problem

I would try uninstalling podcast app then reinstalling. Also, when is last time you rebooted your phone?